EU starts antidumping probe on solar panel imports from China

06 September 2012 10:48[Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--The European Commission on Thursday launched an antidumping investigation into imports of solar panels and their key components – solar cells and wafers – originating in ?xml:namespace>China, according to a statement from the EU.

EU ProSun, an industry association, claimed in its complaint lodged on 25 July this year that solar panels and their key components imported from China enter the European market at prices below market value, the statement said.

The investigation will take 15 months, and it is possible, according to trade defence rules, to impose provisional antidumping duties (ADDs) within nine months, provided there is sufficient prima facie evidence of dumping, according to the statement.

“We feel regretful that the EU is initiating an antidumping investigation. The global photovoltaic industry should work together, especially China and European companies amid slow economy growth,” said Shen Danyang, a spokesman from China’s Ministry of Commerce on its website.

“Limiting Chinese solar panels products not only damages the relationship between China and Europe, but also destroys the healthy development of the global photovoltaic industry and clean energy,” Shen added.